The DP World Tour travels to Ireland this weekend for the annual Irish Open and what is without doubt the punting highlight of the golfing week.
The DP World Tour travels to Ireland this weekend for the annual Irish Open and what is without doubt the punting highlight of the golfing week.
With the FedEx Cup completed two weekends ago, a number of the top European golfers are returning to play the rest of their season on the DP World Tour. We will take a look at this weeks golf from a betting angle and share our plays.
Course
The Irish Open is set to return to Royal County Down for the first time in nine years, marking the first time since 2019 that the tournament will be played on a links course. Located along Dundrum Bay, this true links course brings the weather into play as a significant factor.
The forecast predicts wet and windy conditions from Thursday to Saturday, with clearer weather expected on Sunday. These challenging conditions will test many players unfamiliar with links golf, while favouring those who grew up mastering the harsh elements.
Historically, the course has proven to be a tough challenge, with the last winning score here being just two-under par. The par 71 plays at 7,037.
Past Winners of the Irish Open
2023 Vincent Norrman (Sweden) -14 1 stroke
2022 Adrian Meronk (Poland) -20 3 strokes
2021 Lucas Herbert (Australia) -19 3 strokes
2020 John Catlin (United Sates) -10 2 strokes
2019 John Rahm (Spain) -16 2 strokes
Both Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry will be returning to the DP World Tour to take part in their home Open. The bookies have Rory at 7.50 while Lowry is at 13.00. The bookies have Aaron Rai just behind the two Irishmen trading at 17.00 while Robert Macintyre is trading at 19.00.
Betting – Click here to bet
Rory McIlroy 7.50
Shane Lowry 13.00
Aaron Rai 17.00
Robert Macintyre 19.00
Rasmus Hojgaard 23.00
Ryan Fox 29.00
Prices subject to change
SELECTIONS:
Rory McIlroy at 7.50
McIlroy will be buzzing to play in front of a home crowd this week as Royal County Down is just 30 miles south of where he was born. The world number 3 finished 12th at the Tour Championship and 11th the week before on the PGA Tour. Rory is no stranger to winning the Irish Open, winning the tournament back in 2016 to the delight of the home crowd. He will be looking to return to the winner’s circle and finish off his season strong after a few disappointing performances this year and his proven record on links courses makes him my headline pick this week.
Rory McIlroy each way at 7.50.
Thriston Lawrence at 31.00
Lawrence has been playing some solid golf over the past few weeks. Over his last three tournaments he has secured one win as well as a runner-up. Lawrence also finished 4th at this year’s Open only 3 shots off the lead showing he has what it takes to play in harsh links conditions and it is always nice to shout a South African home come the back 9 on Sunday.
Thriston Lawrence each way at 31.00.
Shane Lowry at 13.00
Lowry will also be very excited to play in front of home fans again back in Ireland. Lowry won the tournament as an amateur back in 2009 which was the kick-start he needed for his successful career as a professional golfer. He finished 8th at the Tour Championship and 13th the week before. He is a player that really knows how to play in the harsh links conditions and that should give him an advantage this week.
Shane Lowry each way at 13.00
Andy Sullivan at 111.00
Sullivan is my rank outsider this week. He had a runner up finish 4 starts back and since then has been in solid if not spectacular form. The swinger for me is his 6th place finish here back in 2015 the last time this course hosted the Irish Open. Come on Andy roll back the years for us.
Andy Sullivan each way at 111.00
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
